C.O.P.S. provides Hands-On Programs designed specifically for each survivorship to help rebuild their shattered lives. These programs allow survivors to receive support from peers who know how they feel, attend seminar sessions specifically designed for their needs and obtain resources to help them on their journey of grief and coping. Our programs are held in a relaxed setting that is removed from the stress of everyday life and are free for survivors to attend. The only cost to the survivors is their travel to and from the program.

Thousands of people will be visiting Washington, D.C. May 10-16 to observe National Police Week and to take part in the activities. Included in this group are surviving family members and co-workers of America’s fallen law enforcement heroes.

Each year, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) provides training to America’s law enforcement agencies on how to appropriately respond to officers and their families affected by line-of-duty trauma.

C.O.P.S. recognizes that every law enforcement officer is subjected to crisis and tragedy as a part of their job. This conference focuses on law enforcement wellness and traumas.

Hands-On Programs

National Police Week

Law Enforcement Trainings

Chapters

Special Events

Contact C.O.P.S.

National Conference

AWARDS

Suzie Sawyer Distinguished Service Award

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. will recognize an active, retired or deceased law enforcement officer/official or organization for services above and beyond the call of duty when addressing police survivor issues. The following criteria shall be used when determining the recipient of this award:

This Award shall be considered the highest recognition any law enforcement officer/official can receive from Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.

The law enforcement officer/official shall be nominated by a member of the law enforcement family. That means any law enforcement officer, survivor, or police family member may nominate an officer for this distinction. They cannot, however, be nominated by a member of their own family.

Applications should cite specific instances of survivor support, advocacy in behalf of survivors, etc. This individual may have worked with a C.O.P.S. Chapter, worked on police survivor legislation, made changes within the law enforcement agency, etc., to promote police survivor care and attention to appropriate police survivor issues. The instances must show efforts above and beyond working with just a single family unit or working on one project or program. Further, these instances must show they are benefiting the National C.O.P.S. Organization.

Letters nominating a person for this Award should be kept to two (2) pages in length. Supporting documentation should be no more than three (3) pages in length.

All applications for this nomination must be emailed (missy_cottle@nationalcops.org) or postmarked by March 1 of each year and sent into the National Office to the attention of Missy Cottle.

The C.O.P.S. National Board will be called upon to make the final determination.

The recipient of the award will be announced on the first day of the National Police Survivors’ Conference in May.

Charles Shinholser Award for Volunteerism

The Charles R. Shinholser, Sr. Award for Volunteerism is given to individuals who have expended numerous hours and tremendous effort to assist in C.O.P.S.’ efforts to help law enforcement survivors rebuild their shattered lives.

The following criteria shall be used when determining the recipient of this award:

1. The individual(s) eligible for consideration of this award must be serving in a volunteer capacity to the C.O.P.S. organization without compensation from the C.O.P.S. organization.

2. The award is given by the National C.O.P.S. organization; therefore, their volunteer service must, directly or indirectly, be of benefit to the national organization.

3. Applications should cite specific instances of the nominee’s volunteer efforts which have shown to be a benefit to the national organization and the results accomplished because of their actions. The instances must show efforts above and beyond working with just a single family unit or working on one project or program.

4. A member of the C.O.P.S. organization or staff members from the National Office or a chapter office must nominate individuals for consideration for this award. Letters nominating a person for this Award should be kept to two (2) pages in length. Supporting documentation should be no more than three (3) pages in length.

5. All applications for this nomination must be emailed (missy_cottle@nationalcops.org) or postmarked by March 1 of each year and sent into the National Office to the attention of Missy Cottle.

The C.O.P.S. National Board will be called upon to make the final determination.

The recipient(s) of the award will be announced on the second day of the National Police Survivors’ Conference in May.

Chapter of the Year Award

To submit an application for consideration by the National Board to be named as C.O.P.S.’ “Chapter of the Year”, answer the following 13 questions/statements. The answers should be kept in the same order as presented, should be numbered, and should be written in paragraph form. Applications must be kept to 4 pages.

All applications for this nomination must be emailed (missy_cottle@nationalcops.org) or postmarked by March 1 of each year and sent into the National Office to the attention of Missy Cottle.

1. Has your chapter sent representatives to all line-of-duty funerals in your service area?

2. Does your chapter hold regular “support” meetings? How often? How many attend?

3. Does your chapter hold regular business meetings? How often? How many attend?

4. How well do you think your chapter functions: For survivors? For co-workers? Business-wise?

5. Tell us about the involvement of your membership in chapter functions. Is it more than just the Board at various activities?

6. Tell us about the contact your chapter has with law enforcement agencies in your service area.

7. Tell us about the contact your chapter has with law enforcement organizations in your service area. (Do you work with all police organizations or only one?)

8. Tell us about your chapter’s fundraising ventures.

9. Tell us how you spend chapter funds for: A. Local support? B. State support? C. National support?